Nigeria, China Seal Deal to Assemble Electric Tricycles, Establish Renewable Energy Centre
Nigeria and China have taken a significant step towards advancing the country’s energy landscape with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Federal Government and Mutual Commitment Company Limited (MCC) to assemble electric tricycles and establish a renewable energy training centre.
The ceremony, facilitated by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), was attended by the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and the Managing Director of REA, Mr. Abba Aliyu, in Beijing on the eve of the African-China Cooperation Summit. The event marked a momentous occasion in Nigeria’s energy journey, with the Minister hailing it as a memorable day for the country.
"This MoU is important and will go down in history as a memorable day for Nigeria. I congratulate REA and the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria for this event, which will aid in achieving Nigeria’s vision for the renewable energy sub-sector of the entire electricity sector value chain," Adelabu said.
According to the Minister, the partnership will prioritize energy access and expansion, as nothing can be achieved without a strong, stable, and reliable electricity sector. "We have relied too much on centralization of our power sector, and it’s not taking us anywhere. We’ve decided to adopt the distributed power model to ensure that every Nigerian has access to energy," he stated.
Adelabu noted that the adoption of renewable energy will expand the energy net for rural dwellers, businesses, universities, and health institutions, providing jobs and opportunities for the youth. The country aims to achieve 100% electrification, similar to northern African countries like Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, and Algeria, and South Africa.
The MCC is currently constructing 12 megawatts and 3 megawatts power plants in Maiduguri and Kaduna, respectively. The company’s Vice Chairman, Yan Zhezhu, expressed appreciation for the Power Minister’s commitment to Nigeria’s energy growth.
Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, has prioritized the power sector as a driver for all other critical sectors of the economy. The government has committed to ensuring the delivery of the MoU within the tenure of the current administration and tracking the economic factors, GDP contribution, employment opportunities, and socio-economic activities that will arise from this initiative.
As Nigeria strives to become energy-independent and reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, the partnership with MCC is expected to boost the country’s renewable energy sector, providing a sustainable and environment-friendly source of power for the future.
